Sunday, November 29, 2020
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 8 and Eothinon 3
Martyr Paramonos and the 370 Companion Martyrs in Bithynia
We are pleased to welcome you to worship with us today. Please note that only Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves with prayer, fasting and a recent confession may approach to receive Holy Communion. Everyone is welcome to reverence the cross and to partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor, and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe. For from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Kontakion for the Preparation for the Nativity – Tone 3
Today the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word before the ages. Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest, and glorify with the angels and shepherds him who shall appear by his own will as a new babe, being God before the ages.
Epistle – Ephesians 4:1-7 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 75.11,1. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is only body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Gospel – Luke 18:18-27 (Thirteenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, a man came testing Jesus and asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And the man said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus, seeing him sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 13:17-21 (St. Nicholas of Myra)
Luke 13:10-17 (Tenth Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – George Khouzami offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of November in loving memory of his mother, Nouhad Khouzami. Memory eternal! Hanade and Ghassan Maalouf have also offered the Holy Bread for the health of Wajiha Kaba and Violet Maalouf Donors are welcome for December and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please reverently hear these prayers before beginning to “chat.”
CHURCH ATTENDANCE - We have increased capacity in line with civil and Archdiocese guidelines while still maintaining the social distancing of 6 feet. There is always a possibility that the church may reach social distance capacity in which case worshippers may wait safely 6 feet apart outside the church. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy people outside may enter the church as attendees exit to receive Holy Communion, holy bread, and/or light a candle. We still ask everyone who wants to attend in person either to call the church office or email pastor@smaoc.org ahead of time.
NOVEMBER 29, 2020 – TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Mission Statement - The mission of St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church of Brooklyn, NY, is to love and worship God through participation in the liturgical life of the Church, and to live and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We carry out this mission through education, outreach, fellowship, and works of mercy with love for each other, our neighbors, and our diverse world.
TODAY, NOVEMBER 29 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Joseph Davis, Rasheed Hajjar, Alfred Hanna, Eva Jobe, Sylvia Khouri, Jasmine Lattof, Tewfik Lewis, Pauline Maloof, Albert Massab, Lian Massab, Rose Nahmee, Herta Schroers, Felipe Trabolsi, Virginia Zarr. Memory eternal!
Josette and John Generale offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Gladys Schroeder. Memory eternal!
U.S. District Court Judge Jack Zouhary (OH) offers prayers for the health and safety of Fr. Michael, Laila, Matthew, Jessica, Marie, Matthew and Alessandra Ellias. Many years!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert Assatly, George Ayoub, George Ellien, Nellie Ellien, Helen Figuccio, Maria Hajjar, Jamiel Howie, Very Rev. Abdallah Khoury, Fred Khoury, Laura Makhoul, Faris Razook, Josephine Razook, Nicholas Sabah, Nancy Schmitt, Edith B. Shagoury, Mary Shahin, Mike Simon, Adele Sullivan, Sarah Zarouni, Isabel Zrake, and George Zrike. Memory eternal!
The Ladies of St. Mary’s will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of their sister and the handmaiden of God Elena Paris. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Christopher Athineos, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Alissar Dalloul, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), Dr. Sam Zamaria (MD), Richard Zogob, and Rose Zrake (at home). If a member of your family is in the hospital or recuperating at home, please call the church office and let us know as soon as possible.
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are saddened to announce that the handmaiden of God Gladys Merhige Schroeder departed this life last Saturday in hope of the Resurrection. Her funeral was from St. Mary’s on Wednesday. We extend our sympathies to her nieces Barbara Izzard and Denise Leavey and their families.
PLEDGE GIVING – During these extraordinary times we ask everyone to maintain their pledge giving as much as possible. Please remember that St. Mary's Church now accepts donations online. Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or check. There is an option to indicate gifts made in honor of or in remembrance of someone.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
ZOOM CLASSROOM – We will resume our online studies with a three-week series on Advent themes on Wednesday, December 2, at 7:30 PM via Zoom. Please join our Zoom Classroom by using the link:
https://zoom.us/j/91972745826?pwd=MnQxay9XY3VUSDVkRTdiZWRhalRKUT09.
CANNED FOOD AND WINTER COAT DRIVES – Teen SOYO has placed two large boxes in the vestibule for their annual Canned Food and Winter Coat Drives. Please bring your contributions between now and December 13. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
CHALLENGE GRANT – The Antiochian Village Camp is the recipient of a $100,000 challenge grant! Campers, alumni, and friends of the Village are encouraged to help reach this goal through donations to the Annual Campaign before the end of the year. For more information go to www.avcamp.org, or call Camp Director Fr. Christopher Shadid at (724) 238-9565.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION RESOURCES – For anyone looking for additional resources to continue their children’s Christian education in the absence of Church School, we would highly recommend materials from Ancient Faith Publishing. This publisher offers a full range of Orthodox materials for children, teens, young adults and mature readers. They also offer Bibles, gifts, icons, jewelry, gift cards, and more. Go to https://store.ancientfaith.com, or call (800) 967-7377 for more information.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – On November 15 we began the traditional 40-day Advent Fast in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ on December 25. The Fast is divided into two periods. The first period is November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, oil and their by-products) is observed. On Tuesdays and Thursdays during this time, wine and oil are permitted. On Saturdays and Sundays during this time, fish, wine and oil are permitted. Some Orthodox eat fish on all days except Wednesdays and Fridays. The second period is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed, with wine and oil permitted on Saturday and Sunday. From December 25 through January 4, there is no fasting.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, December 2 Zoom Classroom, 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 5 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas
Sunday, December 13 Ladies of St. Mary’s 50/50 Drawing
Monday, December 14 Parish Council via Zoom
We livestream all divine services via https://www.twitch.tv/smaoc
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
FROM THE FATHERS – “If you are a Christian, no earthly city is yours. Of our City ‘the Builder and Maker is God.’ Though we may gain possession of the whole world, we are withal but strangers and sojourners in it all. We are enrolled in heaven: our citizenship is there! Let us not, after the manner of little children, despise things that are great, and admire those which are little! Not our city’s greatness, but virtue of soul is our ornament and defense.”
- St. John Chrysostom